Method and system for providing a personal video recorder utilizing network-based digital media content

ABSTRACT

An approach provides for recording and editing digital media. A digital media stream is generated from an input signal (such as a live broadcast feed). The digital media stream is transmitted to a browser application configured to concurrently record and edit the digital media stream.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/517,017; Attorney Docket: ASH05014, filed on Sep. 7, 2006,which is related to, and claims the benefit of the earlier filing dateunder 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/714,674; Attorney Docket: ASH05013PR, filed Sep. 7, 2005, entitled“Method and System for Supporting Media Services,” and is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/475,603; AttorneyDocket: TWI00001C1, filed Jun. 27, 2006, entitled “Database System,Particularly For Multimedia Objects,” which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/311,903; Attorney Docket TWI00001US,filed Feb. 13, 2003, entitled “Database System, Particularly forMultimedia Objects,” which is a national stage application ofPCT/GB01/02857 filed Jun. 27, 2001; the entireties of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The media or broadcast industry has traditionally been confined totechnologies that are expensive and an inflexible with respect toediting, production and delivery of media (e.g., video). By contrast,the communications affords great flexibility in terms of providing userswith alternative networks and rich communication and entertainmentservices. In addition, the cost of equipment, from networking elementsto end user equipment, follows a downward trend as advancements aremade; for example, cellular phones are ubiquitous because of theiraffordability. The capabilities of these devices continue to evolve at arapid pace; e.g., cellular phones are now equipped with high resolutiondisplays and advanced processors to support sophisticated applicationsand services. Further, broadband data communications services haveenabled transmission of bandwidth intensive applications, such as videobroadcasts (e.g., web casts). The transformation of the communicationsindustry has in turn influenced the media industry to rethink theirbusiness models and technological approaches.

However, in adopting these advances in communication technologies, themedia industry faces a number of challenges. For instance, the issue ofconvergence of a broadband rich media experience and live televisionproduction and delivery needs to be addressed. Also, the demands ofsupporting real-time news, video on demand, user personalization, andcontinuing creative additions to initial systems pose additionalengineering challenges. Further, delivery of interactive media (whichdescribe real events in the real world in real-time) requires thecapability to quickly acquire, store, edit, and composite live and otherdescriptive media by numerous users, e.g., editors, artists, andproducers.

Based on the foregoing, there is a clear need for approaches that enablerapid processing and delivery of digital media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams, respectively, of a media services platformfor supporting distributed editing and storage of digital media, and ofproxy editor player capable of providing personal video recording,according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams, respectively, of a workflow process, and aprocess for providing personal video recording, according to variousembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a function diagram of a video server in the system of FIG. 1A,according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of virtual digital asset manager (VDAM) for storingdigital media, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an indexing process to enable distributedediting over a data network, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a cache architecture for storing media, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a computer system that can be used to implementvarious embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An apparatus, method, and software for providing recording and editingof digital media are described. In the following description, for thepurposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Itis apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the presentinvention may be practiced without these specific details or with anequivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the present invention.

Although the various embodiments of the present invention are describedwith respect to the Motion Picture Expert Group (MPEG) standards andGroup of Pictures (GOP) technologies, it is contemplated that theseembodiments have applicability to other equivalent video encodingstandards and technologies.

FIG. 1A is a diagram of a media services platform for supportingdistributed editing and storage of digital media, according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The media services platform 101provides an integrated media asset management platform with a fullymodular architecture that enables users (e.g., customers, subscribers,etc.) to deploy the platform on a module-by-module basis as well asworkflow-by-workflow. Media asset management functions includearchiving, mastering of long-form content for video-on-demand (VOD)distribution, digital content aggregation and distribution. The platform101 also supports remote proxy editing using a proxy editing applicationas executed by a proxy editor server 102, thereby permittingfast-turnaround broadcast productions. The editing application utilizeslow-resolution version of the video content for the purposes of editing;hence, the editing application is referred to as a “proxy editor.” Tosupport the above features and functions, the media services platform101 enables multi-channel distribution of digital content to any varietyand number of devices and networks—e.g., wireless mobile devices,broadband, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), and traditional TVplatforms—thereby, reducing costs and increasing revenue overconventional systems. The architecture of the media services platform101, according to one embodiment of the present invention, supportscompact to enterprise-scale deployments, and ensures that storage andprocessing capabilities are robust and scalable, suitable formission-critical broadcast operations.

It is recognized that there is an increasing need for professional,cost-effective editing of video feeds, such as television coverage ofnews or entertainment events, wherein the edited files can be providedover different alternative networks. For example, a user of a videoenabled mobile cellular telephone might subscribe to a service thatprovides highlights of selected sporting events. Similarly, a user mightsubscribe to a sports headlines service, and receive files on a computerconnected to a public data network, such as the global Internet. Thereal time delivery of events such as sports footage, interviews andedited highlights presents problems in such contexts, where it isnecessary to produce compressed files to reduce the bandwidth fortransmission over a cellular telephone network or a data network. Videofiles for such purposes need to be produced in an encoded format using,for instance, Group of Picture (GOP) technology, otherwise the rawdigital stream would render timely transmissions and file storageimpractical.

Thus, a video stream is created to include a sequence of sets of frames(i.e., GOP). By way of example, each group, typically 8 to 24 frameslong, has only one complete frame represented in full. This completeframe is compressed using only intraframe compression, and thus isdenoted as an I frame. Other frames are utilized and includetemporally-compressed frames, representing only change data with respectto the complete frame. Specifically, during encoding, motion predictiontechniques compare neighboring frames and pinpoint areas of movement,defining vectors for how each will move from one frame to the next. Byrecording only these vectors, the data which needs to be recorded can besubstantially reduced. Predictive (P) frames refer to the previousframe, while Bi-directional (B) frames rely on previous and subsequentframes. This combination of compression techniques is highly effectivein reducing the size of the video stream.

With GOP systems, an index is required to decode a given frame.Conventionally, the index is only written at the end of the file oncethe file has completed the encoding process. As a result, no index isavailable until the recording is completed. The implication is that theproduction of an edited version of the file, for example to transmit ashighlights over a cellular phone network, cannot commence until therecording is completed and this index file produced. The media servicesplatform 101 addresses this drawback by creating a separate index file,which can be supplemental to the routinely generated index file, duringthe recording and encoding process; this mechanism is detailed withrespect to FIG. 5.

Accordingly, the platform 101, in an exemplary embodiment, can provideremote editing over any data network (e.g., Internet Protocol(IP)-based) that can support connectivity to the proxy editor server102, whereby editing can commence without having to wait for completionof the recording. The proxy editor application resident on the server102 enables developers to build professional-level desktop video editingapplications using, for example, the Microsoft Windows Media 9 Seriesplatform.

The platform 101 also provides significant scalability due to decoupledstorage. Conventional editing systems required direct disk access to thevideo file. This poses a severe scalability issue, as every editingfunction (e.g., play, scrub, etc.) from the editing client creates disktraffic. If the storage cannot timely respond, a conventional editingapplication often freezes or crashes, such a scenario is unacceptablefor real time feeds. With the media services platform 101, the contentis downloaded once on each client cache; thus, the centralized storagerequirements are reduced by a very significant factor (depending onediting type).

As seen in FIG. 1A, the media services platform 101 utilizes a sharedrepository 103 that stores media (e.g., digitized video) contentingested from one or more video servers 105. Ingesting involvesobtaining content into the media services platform 101, and can beaccomplished locally or from a remote location. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the repository 103 is deployed as a shared StorageArea Network (SAN) or NAS (Network Area Storage), which has thecapability for high-performance video ingest and playback. The sharedSAN 103 can utilize scalable Fibre Channel switch fabric to interfacewith a Fibre Channel disk array and nearline tape libraries. The videoservers 105, as will be more fully described in FIG. 3, can interfaceany type of content sources, such as a media archive 107, a live feed109, or a digital feed 111.

The media services platform 101 includes a workflow system 113, whichcomprises a workflow engine 115 and one or more resource servers 117 tosupport editing and distribution of digital media. The automatedworkflow provides the ability to automate and orchestrate repetitiveworkflows. In particular, the workflow system 113 offers users anoverview of their work and associated events; that is, the system 113supports an application that shows the status and progress of each joband links to relevant applications that enable the users to performtheir tasks and advance the project towards completion. The workflowengine 115 controls workflow jobs and dispatches them to the resourceservers 117. Communication among the resource servers 117 is facilitatedby, for example, Microsoft Message Queuing.

In addition to providing individual users a central point for managingtheir work, the workflow system 113 is also useful as a monitoringsystem. For example, the system 113 can support a graphical userinterface (GUI) on the user side, such that users can quickly determinethrough visual indicators whether tasks have been completed or errorconditions exist. The users (e.g., administrators) can “drill down” toview more detail. Also, jobs can be paused, restarted (from any stage),aborted and deleted from the workflow application. This capabilityprovides users with full control over the priority of the jobs.Additionally, the system 113 can record timing information for everystep of a task, thereby enabling generation of reports on deliveryturnaround etc.—e.g., for Service Level Agreement (SLA) reporting.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the media servicesplatform 101 can be implemented with a pre-configured, standard set ofcommon workflows. For instance, these workflows can support genericdelivery of files, rendering of edits and delivery of content from thevideo server 105. Moreover, customizable workflows are supported,wherein the users can integrate new services.

As shown, the media services platform 101 comprises core servers, suchas an object store 119, a media server 121, and an application server123. In an exemplary embodiment, the object store 119 containsconfiguration information for the workflow system 113. Configurationinformation include, in an exemplary embodiment, parameters of everyservice, the capabilities of every resource server 117, the definitionof workflows, and the real time status of every job. The object store119 supports the various applications that interface with it through anobject store Application Program Interface (API). According to oneembodiment of the present invention, the object store 119 has anobject-based database schema (e.g., Microsoft SQL (Structured QueryLanguage) Server, for example. The media server 121 receives streambroadcasts and serves the stream on to individual user workstationsusing, for example, Microsoft Windows Media. The stream contains, forexample, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)timecode, enabling the stream to be used as a frame-accurate source forlive logging.

The application server 123 provides dynamic web site creation andadministration functions, such as a search engine, and databasecapabilities. In an exemplary embodiment, the application server 123executes Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS), and can beconfigured for high availability and load-balancing based on industrystandard components.

The media server 121 and the application server 123 interface with thedata network 125, which can be a corporate network or the Internet. Theapplication server 123 is thus accessible by a workstation 127, whichcan be any type of computing device—e.g., laptop, web appliance, palmcomputer, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. The workstation 127 canutilize a browser (e.g., web-based), generally, to communicate with themedia services platform 101, and a downloadable applet (e.g., ActiveXcontrols) to support distributed video editing functionality. Thebrowser in conjunction with the applet is referred to an editing (oreditor) interface—e.g., the proxy editor player 128. The workstation 127can also be equipped with voiceover microphone and headphones tofacilitate the editing process. The proxy editor player 128 communicateswith the proxy editor server 102 to enable the viewing and editing ofcontent, including live video, remotely. In addition, the proxy editorplayer 128, according to one embodiment of the present invention, isconfigured as a personal video recorder (as more fully described belowin FIG. 1B) to capture and edit, for example, a live broadcast fee for“personal” use. Editing functionalities include immediate access toframe-accurate content, even while being recorded, full audio and videoscrubbing of source clips and edit timelines over the network 125, andgeneration of Advanced Authoring Format/Edit Decision List (AAF/EDL)files for craft edit integration.

To connect to the media services platform 101, the workstation 127 neednot require special hardware or software. As mentioned, the workstation127 need only be configured to run a browser application, e.g., InternetExplorer, for communication over the data network 125. With this userinterface, changes or upgrades to the workstation 127 are not required,as all the applications are hosted centrally at the platform 101.

In addition to the video server 105 within the media services platform101, a remote video server 129 can be deployed to ingest content foruploading to the platform 101 via the data network 125. The videoservers 105, 129 include, in an exemplary embodiment, a longitudinaltimecode (LTC) reader card as well as other video interfaces (e.g.,RS-422 control card, Windows Media 9 Encoder and Matrox DigiServer videocard). Video editing relies on the use of timecodes to ensure preciseedits, capturing all in “in points” and “out points” of the edits. Anedited video can be characterized by an edit decision list (EDL), whichenumerates all the edits used to produce the edited video. LTC timecodesare recorded as a longitudinal track, analogous to audio tracks. WithLTC, each frame time is divided into 80 bit cells. LTC timecodes aretransmitted serially in four-bit nibbles, using Manchester codes.

The video servers 105, 129 can be remotely controlled by the workstation127. Also, these servers 105, 129 can connect to the shared SAN 103 viaFibre Channel and a file system by, e.g., ADIC™.

A syndication (or distribution) function 131 can then distribute contentover various channels, such as a wireless network 133 (e.g., cellular,wireless local area network (WLAN)), a television network 135, and abroadband Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 137. Depending on thecapabilities supported by the wireless or wired access network (e.g.,networks 133 and 137), rich services, such as presence, events, instantmessaging (IM), voice telephony, video, games and entertainment servicescan be supported.

Although the video server 105, the workflow engine 115, the object store119, the media server 121, and the application server 123 are shown asseparate components, it is recognized that the functions of theseservers can be combined in a variety of ways within one or more physicalcomponent. For example, the object store 119, the application server123, and the workflow engine 115 can reside within a single server; andthe video server 105 and the media server 121 can be combined into acommon server.

As mentioned above, the media services platform 101 enables media assetmanagement, rapid production, and robust, cost-effective proxy editingcapabilities. By way of illustration, management of media assets tosupport broadband video on demand (VOD) is described. One of the firsttasks involved with VOD applications is ingesting full length moviesinto the video servers 105 for mastering and editing (e.g., removingblack, stitching tapes together, adding legal notices etc). The mastersare then stored on the shared SAN 103. The content is then transcoded toa high quality media stream format, such as Microsoft Windows Media 9Series, and delivered automatically with metadata to their broadbandvideo pay-per-view portal (e.g., any one or more of the networks 133,135 and 137).

Additionally, the media services platform 101 can offer video archivingservices. For instance, customers can extend their online storage withnearline tape and manage content seamlessly across multiple storagedevices using add-on archive modules. Online storage can be backed upand/or migrated to tape according to automated policies. Advantageously,this archival approach can be transparent to the users; that is, theusers are never aware that the master video is no longer stored onexpensive disk-based storage. In one embodiment, a library applicationcan be implemented with the media services platform 103 to provideseamless integration with offline video and data tape archives. Further,the media services platform 101 provides high integration with existingproduction workflows through its capability to transcode and deliver anycontent contained in the archive to, for example, popular non-lineareditors (e.g., AVID™ editor).

Furthermore, the media services platform 101 enables flexible,cost-effective content aggregation and distribution, which is suitablefor content service providers. Typical workflows involve aggregation ofcontent from owners in such formats as Motion Pictures Expert Group(MPEG)-2 or Windows Media 9, along with metadata in eXtensible MarkupLanguage (XML) files, using pre-configured File Transfer Protocol (FTP)hot folders. “Hot folders” are predefined folders that trigger aworkflow event (e.g., file conversion, compression, file transfer, etc.)upon movement of files into the folder. These owners can submit contentdirectly to the workflow system 113 for automatic transcoding, DigitalRights Management (DRM) protection and syndication to multi-channeloperators.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the media servicesplatform 101 utilizes a unified user interface (e.g., web browser) foraccessing applications supported by the platform 101. It is recognizedthat typical production and content delivery workflows often involve theuse of multiple separate applications: one application for logging, asecond application for encoding, a third one for editing, a fourthapplication for asset management, and so on. Consequently, the challengeof effectively managing workflows is difficult. The task is even moredaunting in a multi-channel production and distribution environment, asgreater elements need to coordinated and more applications have to belearned over traditional television environments.

The media services platform 101 advantageously simplifies this task bypermitting access to the multitude of applications via a single unifieduser interface as part of a coherent workflow. In this manner, althoughvarious technologies are involved, the user experience is that of asingle, user-friendly suite of tools, which shield non-technical usersfrom the complex integration of applications and technologies.

The applications supported by the platform 101 include the following:media asset management and search, video editing, video server services,workflow, syndication, upload of media, library service, administration,quality assurance, copyright protection, music cue sheet services, andreporting. In addition, the users can develop their own applicationswithin the unified user interface. Asset management permits users tomanage the location of content within organized folder structures andcategories. This capability is more fully described with respect to FIG.4. The asset search function offers a generic search capability acrossthe entire object store 119.

The media services platform 101 also provides a flexible andcost-effective approach for proxy logging and editing of live andarchive material. Such editing services can be in support of news andsport editing, archive browsing and editing, mobile, broadband and IPTVproduction and mastering, and promotion production. The editingapplication provides viewing and logging of live feeds, frame-accurateproxy logging and editing, and remote proxy editing (e.g., utilizingWindows Media 9 Series proxy format). In addition, the editingapplication can support instant logging and editing while the feed isrecording, as well as audio and video scrubbing. This editingapplication includes the following capabilities: edit timeline witheffects; voiceover (while editing remotely—which is ideal fortranslation workflows); save edit projects with versions; generatethumbnail and metadata from within the editing user interface; andexport EDL's or render finished edits ready for transcoding anddelivery. With this application, a user, through an inexpensiveworkstation 127, can efficiently master a movie for VOD distribution,rough-cut a documentary, or create a fully-finished sports highlightvideo with voiceover and effects.

The media services platform 101, in an exemplary embodiment, utilizes aWindows Media 9 Series codec, which allows high quality video (e.g.,DVD-quality) to be logged and edited across the data network 125.Further, the platform 101 employs intelligent caching to ensure that theapplications are as responsive as editing on a local hard drive, evenover low-bandwidth connections; the caching architecture is describedbelow with respect to FIG. 6.

The syndication application automates the creation and delivery ofcontent and metadata to very specific standards for a range of targetsystems without manual intervention.

The upload application allows users to ingest digital files into themedia services platform 101 and submit them to any permitted workflow.The users (with administrative responsibilities) can control which filetypes are allowed, which workflows are compatible, and the way in whichdifferent types of content are processed. The upload application canfacilitate submission of the files to automatic workflows for hands-offend-to-end processing as well as to manual workflows that require manualintervention.

The upload application is complemented by a hot folder system, whereinworkflow activities are automatically initiated upon movement of filesinto and out of the hot folders. The file system folders can bepre-configured to behave like the upload application and pass files ofparticular types to the workflows. Metadata for each asset provided inaccompanying XML files can be acquired and mapped directly into theobject store 119.

The reporting application enables users to create “printer-friendly”reports on any information stored in the object store 119. The reportingapplication is pre-configured with a number of default reports forreporting on content delivery. Users can filter each report by selectinga desired property of the data, e.g., subscription name, or start andend date. Through the API of the media services platform 101, users (andsystem integrators) can create new report templates and queries.

The library application offers the ability to manage physical media thatcontain instances of assets managed in the media services platform 101.Even with continuing expansion in the use of digital media, traditionalmedia continue to play an important role. Typical productionenvironments possess a number of video tapes, DVDs or other physicalmedia for storing content and data. Some environments utilize largeestablished archives.

In mixed media environments, it is beneficial to manage digital andphysical instances of content in an integrated manner. Accordingly, thelibrary application provides the following capabilities. For example,the application permits the user to generate and print barcodes for thephysical media and shelves, with automatic naming as well as bulk naming(with configurable naming conventions). Also, barcodes are employed forcommon actions, thereby allowing completely keyboard-free operation forchecking in/out and shelving of the physical media. The libraryapplication additionally can manage items across multiple physicallocations, e.g., local and master libraries. Further, the applicationsupports PDA-based applications with a barcode scanner for mobilechecking in/out and shelving. The library application advantageouslysimplifies management of multiple copies of the same asset on severalphysical media and storage of multiple assets on the same tape or DVD.The library application can further be used in conjunction with robotictape libraries to track tapes that have been removed and shelved.

Moreover, the media services platform 101 provides an administrationfunction to tailor system configuration for different customers. It isrecognized that a “one size fits all” configuration for all users isnon-existent. That is, each user, department, organization and customerhas its own set of requirements. Therefore, the media services platform101 supports concurrent use of multiple configurations. For example,each deployment can configure to its own user groups, create newworkflows, integrate new services, support new content types, andspecify new output media formats. The customer can also change and addmetadata structures and fields, and integrate existing web-basedapplications into the user interface. The above capabilities can beexecuted, via the administration application, with immediate effectwithout shutting down the platform 101. Additionally, in amulti-department deployment scenario, multiple logical instances of themedia services platform 101 can be configured with their own uniqueconfigurations.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the media servicesplatform 101 can be implemented as a turn-key system within a singlebox—e.g., in-a-box flight case. Under this configuration, there is noneed for a costly and time-consuming IT (information technology)integration undertaking to rack the components or integrate them intothe customer's network. Under this arrangement, the platform 101 is beconfigured as a plug-and-play system, connecting to the networkautomatically.

As noted, the media services platform 101 can also provide personalvideo recording (PVR) capability, as next described.

FIG. 1B shows a proxy editor player 128 configured as a personal videorecorder, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As apersonal video recorder, a user via a web interface, using the proxyeditor player 128, can download a real-time media stream from the mediaservices platform 101. In support of this personal recording capability,the platform 101 includes an accounting module 101 a to ensure accurateaccounting for the download and use of the media stream. Further, themedia services platform 101 employs a media protection module 101 b tosecure the media stream against unauthorized use, thereby limitingdistribution of the media stream only to users who are validsubscribers, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, the mediaprotection module 101 b implements a standard Digital Rights Management(DRM) mechanism that provides the following functions: security (e.g.,encryption), and monitoring and tracking of rights usage.

In this example, the PVR capability is provided within the proxy editorplayer 128 via a personal video recording module 128 a. It iscontemplated, however, that the PVR capability can exist as a standaloneplayer, without the editing functions. In addition, a media protectionmodule 128 b is included to implement, for example, the DRM mechanism asdeployed by the media services platform 101. Accordingly, an individualstream can be downloaded and managed locally by the DRM module 128 b,thereby supporting concurrent transactions by the platform 101.

The player 128 provides a variety of playback features through a mediastream controller 128 c. For example, the controller 128 c inconjunction with the caching architecture (as explained in FIG. 6) canenable functions such as seek forward, jump ahead capture screen, etc.As for the seek forward feature, a user can utilize a “slide bar” withinthe browser to advance the display of the media stream during recordingof the stream; in contrast, conventionally, this is not possible untilthe entire media has been recorded. In an exemplary embodiment, theplayer 128 operates according to the Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)for controlled delivery of the media stream. RTSP is detailed in IETFRFC 2326, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. RTSP coordinateswith the Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) to format and deliverpackets in the most efficient manner when streaming. For example, theseprotocols can select the most appropriate transport protocol, UserDatagram Protocol (UDP) or Transport Control Protocol (TCP), to use whenstreaming to the player (depending on the network conditions).

FIG. 2A is a diagram of a workflow process utilized in the system ofFIG. 1A to edit digital media, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. For the purposes of explanation, the workflowcapability of the media services platform 101 is described with respectto the video editing application. In step 201, the media that is to beedited is obtain; the media can undergo an ingest process or simplyexists as a digital file that can be uploaded (using the uploadapplication as earlier explained). Ingesting is the process of capturingcontent into the media services platform 101 and can occur locally orremotely with respect to the platform 101. If uploaded, the userdelivers the project to selected hot folders that automatically definecategorization.

The media is then edited, per step 203. By way of example, the user,utilizing the proxy editor player 128 (which is the counterpart softwareto the proxy editor supported by the media services platform 101) on theworkstation 127, can select and log the feed (assuming a live feed whichis always visible), either marking in and out points manually or usingan auto-clip feature for rapid logging. The user can also insertcommentary and assign a rating to the video for determining whichsegment of the content is the most compelling content, thereby providingan indication of the selected clips that should be edited. During orafter logging, the user can select clips from the log and use the proxyeditor player to trim the selection. For example, the user can jog andshuttle along a timeline, or utilize a mouse wheel to scroll frame byframe to the desired cut point. The user can then preview the selectionbefore placing it on the edit timeline. Thereafter, the user canmanipulate the clips on the timeline, reorder and trim the selections.The proxy editor player 128 can permit the user to apply zoom and cropeffects to close in on areas of interest; this capability isparticularly valuable for broadband or mobile outputs where detail isimportant. The user can record a voiceover directly onto the timeline,thereby completing the edit.

The edit is then rendered, as in step 205, as part of a workflow. In anexemplary embodiment, the edit is rendered using a high-resolutionMPEG-2 master. Alternatively, an associated EDL is delivered to anintegrated craft edit for completion. The media services platform 101can support various workflows for craft editor integration, such as,store and forward, and instant editing. As for the store and forwardapproach, the content can be viewed, logged and edited using the proxyeditor into packages for automated transcoding (from master MPEG-2) anddelivery to popular non-linear editing systems (e.g., AVID Unity andAVID Media Composer, Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut Pro, Media 100,iFinish, Pinnacle Liquid and Vortex). With respect to instant editing,using the proxy editor player 128, the user can execute an ingest of alive feed, which can be viewed, logged and edited. The user can thenexport an EDL to a craft editor, which can be a third party craft editor(e.g., Incite Editor E3) that is integrated with the media servicesplatform 101. When imported into Incite, the timeline is rebuiltframe-accurately, pointing to the MPEG-2 master on the shared SAN 103.Once the edit is complete, the craft editor creates a new MPEG-2 digitalmaster, which is automatically re-ingested back into the platform 101when dropped in an appropriate Hot Folder.

It is noted that the above process can occur while the video feeds arestill being recorded, thus enabling the quickest possible turnaround ofcontent for broadcast programs (e.g., sports and news).

In step 207, metadata is added. The file is transcoded (per step 209)and reviewed and/or approved (step 211). Thereafter, the edited filed isdelivered, per step 213. The last stage in the workflow is the deliveryof content files and metadata to other systems (e.g., networks 133, 135,and 137) that are responsible for delivery of content to consumers. Thesyndication application of the media services platform 101 provides theautomated delivery of the content and metadata. The media servicesplatform 101 operates on a “set it and forget it” principle. In otherwords, once a configuration is specified, no other input is requiredthereafter. For instance, a configuration of a new subscription is setto the required content categories, the technology used to create eachfile as well as the specific set of parameters are specified, and thefile-naming conventions and delivery details are indicated. Everysubsequent delivery from the workflow application simply implements thesubscription when the correct criteria are met. Whenever the userrequires a new output format, the user can specify the variousconfiguration parameters, including the codec, frame rate, frame size,bit rate, and encoder complexity.

It is noted that any technology plugged into the workflow system 113 canbe automated—e.g., for pre-processing, transcoding, DRM protection,watermarking, delivery, or any other purpose required.

The above workflow process can be illustrated in the following exampleinvolving a sports production. Under this scenario, a customer produces,on a weekly basis for instance, multiple fully-edited football matchhighlights every week for mobile operators (utilizing ThirdGeneration/Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (3G/UMTS)technologies). The customer requires a two minute voiced highlightpackage be delivered to the operators within 4 minutes of the end ofeach game for these concurrent matches. This requirement can be achievedwith the media services platform 101, whereby live broadcast feeds arerecorded using the video servers 105. Producers edit and log the mediausing the proxy editor application (e.g., player 128) during recordingof the matches. Once the matches are over, they simply select a deliverbutton presented by the proxy editor player 128. The workflow system 113automatically renders the proxy edit using, for instance, a MPEG-2 50Mbps I-frame master, before automatically transcoding the edit into themobile formats requested by the operators and delivering the content andmetadata XML to their content distribution networks. In this manner, themobile subscribers can purchase and view the video clips on their mobilehandsets within minutes of the end of each game.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the media servicesplatform 101 can be integrated with a newsroom computer system andplayout video server. The video server 105 ingests content from livefeeds or tape, and journalists and producers throughout the newsorganization can instantly start to log and edit the live feeds fromtheir desktop using the proxy editor player 128. Finished edits arerendered and transcoded direct from the proxy editor application to agallery playout video server. Notification is automatically sent to thenewsroom computer system and automation system when every new package isavailable.

As seen in FIG. 2A, after ingesting the media, the personal videorecording process, as in step 215, can be executed. The recordingprocess operates integrally with the editing process.

FIG. 2B shows a flowchart of a process for providing personal videorecording, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step221, the media services platform 101 ingests media using the remotevideo server 129. By way of example, the media is a live broadcast feed,resulting in a real-time media stream. Although not shown, the remotevideo server 129 can interface a multitude of video sources (asexplained below in FIG. 3) to convert, as necessary, video signals intodigitized content (digital media). In step 223, a media file is createdfrom the live feed. The digitized content is then forwarded to the proxyeditor server 102, which acts as a centralized proxy. The server 102further sends the digitized content to the object store 119 (e.g.,VDAM). The media protection module 101 b of the platform 101 thenapplies rights protection to the media stream, per step 225. The mediastream is then forwarded to the player 128, which under this scenario isconfigured as a personal video recorder (step 227).

After receiving the stream, the player 128, as in step 229, can transmitaccounting information to the accounting module 101 a of the mediaservices platform 101 to track usage of the media stream (per step 231).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a proxy media filethat corresponds to the media stream is created for editing purposes.This proxy media file is a reduced file size of the media file; forexample, the proxy media file can be a low resolution version of themedia file. The proxy media file is made available to the proxy editorplayer 128 for editorial control of the ingested media.

FIG. 3 is a function diagram of a video server in the system of FIG. 1A,according to one embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned, thevideo server 105, among other functions, is capable of handling livebroadcast video in a flexible, feature rich and cost-effective manner.In this example, the video server 105 can be slaved by a Video DiskCommunications Protocol (VDCP)-compliant automation system. It is notedthat the video server 105 can support both National Television SystemCommittee (NTSC) and Phase Alternating Line (PAL) standards. The videoserver 105 is controllable from any user workstation (e.g., workstation127) without geographical constraint. The video server 105 can in turncontrol, for instance, an attached video tape recorder (VTR) over anRS-422 interface, thereby allowing frame-accurate recording and lay backto tape, and preserving timecode through the entire process.

In one embodiment, the video server 105 includes a live media streammodule 301, a media proxy file module 303, and a video format module305. The live media stream module 301 communicates with the userinterface 313 to provide logging and monitoring functions. The mediaproxy file module 303 supports the capability to perform editingfunctions during recording of the video. The video format module 305converts a raw video stream into a standardized format—MPEG-2, forexample. The modules 303 and 305 interface the repository 103 to storethe ingested contents.

As shown, the server 105 can support various input sources: an LTC timecode source 307, a Serial Digital Interface (SDI) source 309, and a VDCPslave source 311. The video server 105 can generate multiple outputs inreal-time from the SDI source 307, in contrast to conventional videoservers which generate only a single output. The modules 301, 303, 305generate three types of outputs. One output is that of MPEG-2, in whichthe user can select between long-GOP and I-frame for each server,ranging from DVD-quality 5 Mbps long-GOP to 50 Mpbs I-frame only. Theaudio is captured at 48 kHz, for instance. The live media stream module301 can generate a live media stream (e.g., Windows Media 9 Series) forbroadcast over a network (e.g., networks 133-137 of FIG. 1A) to one ormore media servers (e.g., media server 121), which serve the stream onto individual user workstations. The stream can include SMPTE timecode,thereby providing a frame-accurate source for live logging.

Finally, the media proxy file module 303 can produce a file (e.g.,Windows Media proxy file) for storage in the SAN 103. The proxy editorpermits this file, according to one embodiment, to be opened for viewingand editing while the file is still being written. Thus, in conjunctionwith the proxy editor, the video server 105 supports fast-turnaroundproduction of live events without the need for dedicated high-bandwidthnetworks and expensive edit suites, and without sacrificing quality orfunctionality.

In addition to the robust video editing functionality, the mediaservices platform 101 provides management of the digital assets, as nextexplained.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of virtual digital asset manager (VDAM) for storingdigital media, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thevirtual asset manager 401 (e.g., object store 119) ensures that thedigital archive can be fully integrated into the production workflow,including desktop proxy viewing, logging and editing, craft editing, anddelivery. For example, sections of an archive MPEG-2 master can beselected using a low-resolution proxy and exported to an AVID editor orAVID Unity (the files can be transcoded and delivered automatically viaTelestream FlipFactory).

The library application, as earlier described, provides physical assetmanagement (e.g., tape check-in, check-out, shelving and barcodeprinting, etc.) to connect physical tape content with its digitalequivalent stored in the repository 103.

The asset manager 401 enables frame-accurate remote browsing, loggingand selection of thousands of hours of archive content from anywhere onthe Internet or a private corporate WAN (e.g., data network 125). Theasset manager 401 allows users to manage the location of content withinorganized folder structures and categories. Content can be modified,deleted, copied, pasted and added through this application. Folders canstore any asset type configured by administrators, from audio and videoto ringtones, images and documents.

The asset manager 401 also offers a flexible search capability for theobject store 119. Users can search across their own work and that ofothers, thus facilitating sharing and simple retrieval of content.Further, other applications within the media services platform 101 canutilize this asset search capability, as to provide a consistent andrecognizable function (i.e., common dialog) across these applications.

The object store 119 enables the asset management capability of themedia services platform 101, permitting users (e.g., administrators) tochange the fields and forms associated with an asset at any point byutilizing the proxy editor player 128. Under this approach, adapting theplatform 101 to satisfy changing user requirements does not requireexpensive database administrators.

In this example, the virtual digital asset manager 401 accumulatescontent from a variety of content databases 403 and 405, and thus isconsidered “virtual.” A customer can generate its own content, which canbe stored in the original content database 403. In addition, the contentof one or more third party content providers can be offered by the assetmanager 401. Accordingly, the VDAM 401 enables tying of businesspartners (e.g., third party content providers), thereby enhancing thedistribution of digitized assets. In an exemplary embodiment, thecontent owner can push content into the virtual digital asset manager401 over the world wide web (e.g., network 125). The virtual digitalasset manager 401 can also provide private storage of asset data, andfacilitate publishing of the content. In addition to being configured asan asset manager, the VDMA can act as a directory server of all theassets provided by users.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that the virtual digital asset manager401 can provide advertisement and transaction support. That is, a usercan produce a video file that includes the stored content as well asadvertisements; the manager 401 then tracks transactions relating to theretrieval and/or viewing of the edited video file. In this manner, thecustomer has the capability to charge or otherwise account for suchservices.

Effectively, the VDAM supports a “most needed” based approach, ratherthan a “most requested” based approach of convention systems. Inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the virtualdigital asset manager 401 can be implemented external to the mediaservices platform 101 as an independent system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an indexing process to enable distributedediting over a data network, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Conventionally, to support editing, an index file isgenerated for addition to the end of the video file. The media servicesplatform 101 provides a mechanism, whereby during recording and encodingof a video file, editing can be concurrently performed. This is enabledby created of a supplemental index file that is separate from theconventional index file. The separate index file is updated dynamicallyat intervals during recording and encoding. This index can be added tothe video file when recording and encoding has been completed;optionally, the separate index file can then be deleted. Video framesfor use in the editing process are created using data in the video fileand the separate index file.

In step 501, video signals are received by the platform 101; namely,through the video server 105. The video signals are then recorded andencoded, as in step 503. In step 505, the first index file is generatedduring the recording. This first index file is updated during theencoding process (step 507). In other words, while the video file isbeing recorded and subjected to encoding (e.g., GOP encoding), aseparate index file is created and updated at regular intervals duringthe encoding process. Typically, the updating of the index file canoccur every half a second. If the encoding process is complete (asdetermined in step 509), then a second index file (i.e., conventionalindex file) is generated, as in step 511. Otherwise, the update of thefirst index file is continued.

If the editing application attempts to connect to a video file andcannot locate the index at the end of the file, the application willlook automatically for the separate index file. The index file could beassigned the same name as the basic video (or media) file, but with adifferent extension—although mapping to any name of file could be used.If an appropriate index file (which can indicate a different fileextension than the video file) is found, the editor uses this externalindex to play/render the file, which is still being recorded. Thisresults in the editor being able to access content rapidly (e.g., withina one second maximum of the content being recorded). Once recordingstops and the conventional index is added to the end of the video file,the external index file can be deleted as no longer necessary.

The above process can be applied to any GOP based video format(including Windows Media).

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a cache architecture for storing and manipulatingmedia, according to an embodiment of the present invention. To offer theflexible, robust editing functions, a software-based, intelligent videocache system 601 is utilized. The system 601 enables frame accuratescrubbing and editing of GOP based content. Due to the processor demandin decoding GOP based content, GOP based editing has been implementedconventionally as hardware based functionality. This aspect of thepresent invention provides a caching architecture which removes thisrequirement and enables software based real-time long GOP editing. Thisarchitecture is implemented by the editing application of the mediaservices platform 101.

The architecture of the intelligent video cache system 601 has a numberof layers: a video file content layer 603; a non-sequential, compressedvideo file cache 605; and a decompressed frame cache 607. The video filecontent layer 603 provides for locally hosted video file content. Thesecond layer 605 provides for a compressed video file cache within aclient player. This cache 605 is non-sequential so that only parts ofthe video file (at GOP resolution) can be cached. In one embodiment, thecache 605 is maintained in main memory (e.g., Random Access Memory(RAM)) of the workstation 127, but can be aged by the player software tolocal disk. Also, within the client player, the decompressed frame cache607 is provided in video memory (VRAM).

In this example, the cache 601 is filled by asynchronous proactivecaching threads 609, which follow and predict user behavior patterns aswell as fill the different layers 603, 605 and 607 of the cache 601 asrequired to provide the best editing experience (within the constraintsof the local workstation resources in terms of Central Processing Unit(CPU), RAM, disk and VRAM). The asynchronous aspect of the system issignificant, and provides the user with an immediate response whenscrubbing throughout a file or editing. If the system has not yet cachedthe desired frame, the player software can show the closestcached/decompressed frame and display a status symbol indicating to theuser that the current frame is not the correct frame. If the user waits,eventually that frame will render into the correct frame. The userinterface is not locked by the caching mechanism—i.e., the user canalways choose to scrub somewhere else, play, etc. Furthermore, cacherequests can be configured to have an expiry timeout, enablingcancellation to avoid building long queues of caching requests (whichcould no longer be relevant).

The following modes of operation of the editor player 128 areconsidered: idle, scrubbing, and playing. In idle mode, when the playerhas not changed state within a predetermined period of time (e.g., suchas in the last 2 seconds), a playback caching thread first ensures thatit has cached the next few seconds forward and backward from theplayback head position. The thread ensures that the content is cached indecompressed VRAM cache 607. In this manner, if the user suddenlydecides to play, the system can respond immediately. Once the playbackcaching thread is satisfied that the content is cached for immediateplayback, the riddling thread is started.

The job of the riddling thread is to proactively download framesthroughout the video in case the user starts scrubbing. The thread firstdownloads a GOP in the middle of the file, then every third of the file,then every ninth of the file, etc. This continues until the VRAM is full(it always leave the playback thread immediate playback content, but canreplace other frames which have been cached and are no longer relevant).Once the VRAM is full, the thread continues—but only to the compressedRAM cache and disk cache. If enough resources exist on the workstation127 and time is left in idle mode, the full video can be cached in thecompressed cache.

The scrubbing mode is triggered by fast “playback head” movement, by auser operating an on screen editing tool (when not in play mode). Theplayback caching thread is disabled and all resources are given to theriddling thread to provide the best scrubbing experience.

When a play “button” is selected by a user within the proxy editorplayer 128, the playing mode is triggered. In this mode, the playbackcaching thread, and the riddling thread are disabled. A look-aheadcaching thread is started which decompresses into VRAM the contentahead, and faster (if there are sufficient system resources) than theplayback head.

The processes described herein for supporting distributed editing may beimplemented via software, hardware (e.g., general processor, DigitalSignal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.), firmware or acombination thereof. Such exemplary hardware for performing thedescribed functions is detailed below.

FIG. 7 illustrates a computer system 700 upon which an embodimentaccording to the present invention can be implemented. For example, theprocesses described herein can be implemented using the computer system700. The computer system 700 includes a bus 701 or other communicationmechanism for communicating information and a processor 703 coupled tothe bus 701 for processing information. The computer system 700 alsoincludes main memory 705, such as a random access memory (RAM) or otherdynamic storage device, coupled to the bus 701 for storing informationand instructions to be executed by the processor 703. Main memory 705can also be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediateinformation during execution of instructions by the processor 703. Thecomputer system 700 may further include a read only memory (ROM) 707 orother static storage device coupled to the bus 701 for storing staticinformation and instructions for the processor 703. A storage device709, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is coupled to the bus 701for persistently storing information and instructions.

The computer system 700 may be coupled via the bus 701 to a display 711,such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display, active matrixdisplay, or plasma display, for displaying information to a computeruser. An input device 713, such as a keyboard including alphanumeric andother keys, is coupled to the bus 701 for communicating information andcommand selections to the processor 703. Another type of user inputdevice is a cursor control 715, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursordirection keys, for communicating direction information and commandselections to the processor 703 and for controlling cursor movement onthe display 711.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the processes describedherein are performed by the computer system 700, in response to theprocessor 703 executing an arrangement of instructions contained in mainmemory 705. Such instructions can be read into main memory 705 fromanother computer-readable medium, such as the storage device 709.Execution of the arrangement of instructions contained in main memory705 causes the processor 703 to perform the process steps describedherein. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement mayalso be employed to execute the instructions contained in main memory705. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used inplace of or in combination with software instructions to implement theembodiment of the present invention. Thus, embodiments of the presentinvention are not limited to any specific combination of hardwarecircuitry and software.

The computer system 700 also includes a communication interface 717coupled to bus 701. The communication interface 717 provides a two-waydata communication coupling to a network link 719 connected to a localnetwork 721. For example, the communication interface 717 may be adigital subscriber line (DSL) card or modem, an integrated servicesdigital network (ISDN) card, a cable modem, a telephone modem, or anyother communication interface to provide a data communication connectionto a corresponding type of communication line. As another example,communication interface 717 may be a local area network (LAN) card (e.g.for Ethernet™ or an Asynchronous Transfer Model (ATM) network) toprovide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wirelesslinks can also be implemented. In any such implementation, communicationinterface 717 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic, or opticalsignals that carry digital data streams representing various types ofinformation. Further, the communication interface 717 can includeperipheral interface devices, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB)interface, a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card InternationalAssociation) interface, etc. Although a single communication interface717 is depicted in FIG. 7, multiple communication interfaces can also beemployed.

The network link 719 typically provides data communication through oneor more networks to other data devices. For example, the network link719 may provide a connection through local network 721 to a hostcomputer 723, which has connectivity to a network 725 (e.g. a wide areanetwork (WAN) or the global packet data communication network nowcommonly referred to as the “Internet”) or to data equipment operated bya service provider. The local network 721 and the network 725 both useelectrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals to convey informationand instructions. The signals through the various networks and thesignals on the network link 719 and through the communication interface717, which communicate digital data with the computer system 700, areexemplary forms of carrier waves bearing the information andinstructions.

The computer system 700 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), the network link 719, and thecommunication interface 717. In the Internet example, a server (notshown) might transmit requested code belonging to an application programfor implementing an embodiment of the present invention through thenetwork 725, the local network 721 and the communication interface 717.The processor 703 may execute the transmitted code while being receivedand/or store the code in the storage device 709, or other non-volatilestorage for later execution. In this manner, the computer system 700 mayobtain application code in the form of a carrier wave.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing instructions to the processor 703 forexecution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limitedto non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, suchas the storage device 709. Volatile media include dynamic memory, suchas main memory 705. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copperwire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise the bus 701.Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic, optical, orelectromagnetic waves, such as those generated during radio frequency(RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms ofcomputer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexibledisk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM,CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, opticalmark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or otheroptically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM,any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other mediumfrom which a computer can read.

Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in providinginstructions to a processor for execution. For example, the instructionsfor carrying out at least part of the present invention may initially beborne on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. In such a scenario, theremote computer loads the instructions into main memory and sends theinstructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem of a localcomputer system receives the data on the telephone line and uses aninfrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal andtransmit the infrared signal to a portable computing device, such as apersonal digital assistant (PDA) or a laptop. An infrared detector onthe portable computing device receives the information and instructionsborne by the infrared signal and places the data on a bus. The busconveys the data to main memory, from which a processor retrieves andexecutes the instructions. The instructions received by main memory canoptionally be stored on storage device either before or after executionby processor.

While the present invention has been described in connection with anumber of embodiments and implementations, the present invention is notso limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalentarrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims.

The following patent applications are incorporated herein by referencein their entireties: co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/368,750 (Attorney Docket No. ASH05013), filed Mar. 6, 2006, entitled“Method and System for Providing Distributed Editing and Storage ofDigital Media Over a Network”; co-pending U.S. patent application(Attorney Docket No. ASH05015) filed Sep. 7, 2006, entitled “Method andSystem for Providing Remote Digital Media Ingest with CentralizedEditorial Control”; co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/452,851 (Attorney Docket No. ASH05016), filed Jun. 14, 2006, entitled“Method and System for Providing Digital Media Management UsingTemplates and Profiles”; co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/479,715 (Attorney Docket No. ASH05017), filed Jun. 30, 2006, entitled“Method and System for Providing End User Community Functionality forPublication and Delivery of Digital Media Content”; co-pending U.S.patent application (Attorney Docket No. ASH05018) filed Sep. 7, 2006,entitled “Method and System for Dynamic Control of Digital Media ContentPlayback and Advertisement Delivery”; co-pending U.S. patent application(Attorney Docket No. ASH05019) filed Sep. 7, 2006, entitled “DigitalMedia Asset Management System and Method for Supporting Multiple Users”;co-pending U.S. patent application (Attorney Docket No. ASH05020) filedSep. 7, 2006, entitled “Method and System for Delivery of Digital MediaExperience via Common Instant Communication Clients”; and co-pendingU.S. patent application (Attorney Docket No. ASH05021) filed Sep. 7,2006, entitled “Providing End User Community Functionality forPublication and Delivery of Digital Media Content.”

APPENDIX 3G 3^(rd) Generation AAF Advanced Authoring Format APIApplication Programming Interface ASIC Application Specific IntegratedCircuit CD Compact Disc CPU Central Processing Unit CRT Cathode Ray TubeDSL Digital Subscriber Line DRM Digital Rights Management DVD DigitalVersatile Disc (formerly Digital Video Disc) EDL Edit Decision ListEPROM Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory FPGA Field ProgrammableGate Array GOP Group of Pictures GUI Graphical User Interface IISInternet Information Services IM Instant Messaging IP Internet ProtocolIPTV IP Television ISDN Integrated Digital Services Network ISP InternetService Provider LAN Local Area Network LTC Longitudinal TimeCode MPEGMotion Picture Expert Group NAS Network Area Storage NTSC NationalTelevision System Committee NIC Network Interface Card PAL PhaseAlternating Line PCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card InternationalAssociation PDA Personal Digital Assistant PROM Programmable Read OnlyMemory RAM Random Access Memory ROM Read Only Memory RFC Request ForComment RPID Rich Presence Information Data Format RTSP Real-TimeStreaming Protocol SAN Storage Area Network SDI Serial Digital InterfaceSLA Service Level Agreement SMPTE Society of Motion Picture andTelevision Engineers SQL Structured Query Language TV Television UDPUser Datagram Protocol UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications SystemVDAM Virtual Digital Asset Manager VDCP Video Disk CommunicationsProtocol VOD Video On Demand WAN Wide Area Network WLAN Wireless LocalArea Network XML Extensible Markup Language

1. (canceled)
 2. A media service platform, comprising: a video serverconfigured to receive input media contents from a plurality of sourcesand to process the input media contents into server media contents; avideo repository coupled to the video server for storing the servermedia contents from the video server; a workflow system coupled to thevideo repository and configured to edit the server media contents fromthe video repository to add metadata in the server media contents; and amedia interface for providing media services based on the server mediacontents in the video repository.
 3. The media service platformaccording to claim 2, wherein: the video server includes a first mediamodule for logging and monitoring a live media stream.
 4. The mediaservice platform according to claim 3, wherein: the video serverincludes a second media for concurrently recording and editing the inputmedia contents.
 5. The media service platform according to claim 4,wherein: the video server includes a third media module for convertingnon-standard media contents to standard media contents.
 6. The mediaservice platform according to claim 2, wherein: the video server is aremote video server.
 7. The media service platform according to claim 6,wherein: the remote media server is configured to receive an inputsignal that includes a live broadcast feed to output a media stream, andthe media stream is a real-time media stream.
 8. The media serviceplatform according to claim 2, wherein: the server media contents are inmultiple output formats.
 9. The media service platform according toclaim 2, wherein the workflow system is configured to: create a mediastream based on the server media contents; apply rights protection tothe media stream; and provide the media stream to a personal videorecorder and player.
 10. The media service platform according to claim2, wherein: the media interface provides access to a user through a webbrowser for concurrently recording and editing the input media contents.11. The media service platform according to claim 10, wherein: theediting by the browser commences before the recording is complete. 12.The media service platform according to claim 10, wherein: mediaservices include providing a media stream; and usage of the media streamis tracked by the browser to generate accounting information.
 13. Themedia service platform according to claim 2, wherein: the mediainterface distributes contents over various channels including one ormore of a wireless network, a television network, and a broadbandInternet Service Provider (ISP) network.
 14. A method for a mediaservice platform, comprising: receiving input media contents from aplurality of sources; processing the input media contents into servermedia contents in multiple output formats; storing the server mediacontents in a video repository; editing the server media contents fromthe video repository to add metadata in the server media contents; andproviding media services based on the server media contents.
 15. Themethod according to claim 14, wherein processing the input mediacontents further includes: logging and monitoring a live media stream;concurrently recording and editing the input media contents; andconverting non-standard media contents to standard media contents. 16.The method according to claim 14, wherein: the input media contents isreceived by a remote video server; and the remote media server isconfigured to receive an input signal that includes a live broadcastfeed to output a real-time media stream.
 17. The method according toclaim 14, further including: creating a media stream based on the servermedia contents; applying rights protection to the media stream; andproviding the media stream to a personal video recorder and player. 18.The method according to claim 14, wherein providing media servicesfurther includes: distributing media contents over various channelsincluding one or more of a wireless network, a television network, and abroadband Internet Service Provider (ISP) network.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 14, wherein providing media services furtherincludes: providing access to a user through a web browser forconcurrently recording and editing the input media contents.
 20. Themethod according to claim 19, wherein: the editing by the browsercommences before the recording is complete.
 21. The method according toclaim 19, wherein: providing a media stream; and tracking usage of themedia stream by the browser to generate accounting information.